The legal representation of former Miss Universe Nigeria runner-up Chidimma Adetshina has placed immigration lawyer Stefanie de Saude-Darbandi under public scrutiny over her simultaneous role on the Department of Home Affairs’ Immigration Advisory Board (IAB).
De Saude-Darbandi has defended Adetshina against efforts to revoke her identity documents and the ongoing deportation proceedings, while also serving as an independent member of the statutory advisory board.
Speaking about the case, De Saude-Darbandi said legal matters should be considered on their merits.
“Behind every headline is a real person, a real family and real legal issues that deserve to be heard fairly,” she said about the case.
A timeline of legal representation and public service
De Saude-Darbandi’s professional involvement with the 25-year-old beauty queen began in the public eye.
Her firm, De Saude Darbandi Attorneys, has provided legal counsel and public commentary on Adetshina’s complex citizenship narrative since August 2024, when the model was forced to withdraw from the Miss South Africa pageant due to intense backlash.
Over this nearly two-year period, the legal relationship deepened as the Department of Home Affairs escalated its efforts to revoke the model’s identity documents, culminating in the current high-stakes deportation battle in 2026.
Concurrently, De Saude-Darbandi has served as an independent expert on the Immigration Advisory Board for approximately one year and three months.
She was appointed to the statutory body on 1 April 2025 by the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, following the government’s decision to reinstate the board to help reform South Africa’s buckling immigration systems.
Why the dual role is legal under South African law
Is her being an advisor to the Department of Home Affairs while defending a high-profile client against SA law? No. Under South African administrative and constitutional law, this dual arrangement is entirely legal and structured deliberately.
Strictly advisory, non-executive capacity
Under Section 4 of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002, the board functions purely to advise the Minister on macro-level policy, long-term regulations, and systemic frameworks.
The board has absolutely no executive powers, meaning De Saude-Darbandi has no authority or influence over individual administrative decisions, visa approvals, or specific deportation orders issued by Home Affairs.
Independent selection and private practice
The Act mandates that the 13-member board include independent industry experts chosen specifically for their extensive knowledge and involvement in private immigration law.
Appointees do not become state employees; they serve in their personal capacities while maintaining their private practices.
A blanket ban on board members litigating against the state would effectively disqualify the country’s top legal minds from offering their expertise to the government.
Rigorous recusal protocols
South African statutory boards operate under strict ethical governance rules. If a policy matter arises that directly overlaps with an active file handled by her firm, De Saude-Darbandi is legally required to declare the interest and recuse herself from the board’s deliberations on that topic.
